Prince Kaybee’s Hot Take on Zimdancehall: Wake-Up Call or Too Harsh?

When local talent meets honest critique – Zimbabwe’s music scene gets a moment in the spotlight

If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately, you might have caught the buzz sparked by South African producer Prince Kaybee about Zimbabwean music – especially Zimdancehall. The man’s no stranger to bold opinions, and this time he’s got the whole music community talking. Is he throwing shade or dropping wisdom? Let’s dive in.

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Talent runs deep, but the sound needs a wider reach

Prince Kaybee isn’t here to bash talent – far from it. The guy’s spent serious time in Harare, grinding alongside Zimbabwean creatives while recording his album The 4th Republic. He’s seen up close the mad skills of the engineers, songwriters, and producers. According to him, the quality is world-class – no doubt.

But here’s the catch: it’s the sound itself that’s holding things back.

Zimdancehall is Zimbabwe’s own take on dancehall – but it’s got its own flavour. It’s raw, real, and packed with local slang, Shona lyrics, and stories that come straight from the heart of Zimbabwe’s townships and streets. It’s a vibe that tells the struggles and loves of everyday life, and fans swear by it.

Is Zimdancehall too niche for the big stage?

Kaybee says Zimdancehall has become “too layered, too niche” and struggles to break out beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. It’s like a subgenre within a subgenre, making it tough for global or even South African audiences to vibe with it fully.

What’s more, he points out that this dancehall flavour is getting forced into other popular genres, especially Amapiano. The result? A bit of a confusing mash-up that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

So, while the writing and production are tight, the heavy dancehall influence makes it tricky for Zimbabwean music to evolve and expand its footprint.

Image 1: YouTube/Prince Kaybee

The social media storm that started it all

This conversation really took off after a viral post by Twitter user @tabanimcgucci who claimed Zimbabwean music has “no export value” and called it “mid” compared to South African artists who regularly perform in Zimbabwe. Naturally, that stirred emotions.

Prince Kaybee stepped in with his perspective, agreeing on the potential but pointing out the sound challenges. The discussion has split fans – some calling it a much-needed reality check, others feeling it was a bit disrespectful.

But whether you’re Team Kaybee or Team Zimdancehall, this debate shines a light on something every artist struggles with – staying true to your roots while aiming for a bigger stage.

What lies ahead for Zimbabwean music?

Zimbabwe’s music scene is buzzing with fresh energy and raw stories. The challenge now is how to keep that authenticity alive while pushing the sound in a way that speaks to more ears.

Prince Kaybee’s honest critique could be the spark that encourages artists to experiment, collaborate, and craft sounds that keep their essence but connect more widely.

After all, music is a language everyone understands – and Zimbabwe’s voice deserves to be heard loud and clear beyond its borders.

Your take – is Zimdancehall the barrier or the backbone?

Does Zimdancehall need to evolve to go global, or is its uniqueness what makes it special? Can mixing it with genres like Amapiano help Zimbabwean artists reach new heights, or does that risk losing the core vibe?

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Source: The South African

Featured Image: Facebook/Prince Kaybee